What’s the weirdest boundary you’ve had to set working from home?

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Remote work blurs the line between personal and professional life. Have you ever had to set an unusual boundary with coworkers, family, or even yourself to keep things sane? What was it, and how did it go?

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Laura Martin 29 Mar 2025

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Oh man, I had to tell my team no Zoom calls before 10 a.m. because my toddler turns our living room into a war zone every morning. I was so embarrassed setting that rule, but everyone was super chill about it. Now I get my coffee and some quiet time before diving into work. It’s been a game-changer for my sanity, though I still feel bad when I hear my kid screaming during someone else’s call haha.
38
- Emma Roberts: Thanks for sharing! How did your team respond when you first brought up that boundary?
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D.G. 30 Mar 2025

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i had to make a rule with myself: no checking emails after 7pm, period. sounds simple but i was OBSESSED, like, refreshing my inbox during dinner, driving my wife nuts. one night she hid my laptop and i realized how bad it got. now i stick to that cutoff, mostly. its definately helped me be more present at home, tho i sneak a peek sometimes lol 😅
29
Oliver Thomas 1 Apr 2025

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I set a boundary with my manager about not scheduling meetings during my lunch hour, 12-1 PM. It seems small, but I kept getting pulled into calls while trying to eat, and I’d end up hangry by 3 PM. I explained it politely, and she was fine with it, but I still get the occasional ‘quick sync’ request at 12:30. I just ignore those now
23
Adrian Carpenter 3 Jun 2025

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One boundary I had to set was about data privacy at home. I realized my partner sometimes used my work laptop for personal stuff, which made me uneasy because of sensitive info and company policies. I had to clearly say no sharing devices or files without permission, emphasizing least privilege principles to protect both work data and our relationship. It felt awkward but necessary. A quick fix was creating separate user profiles with strict access controls on the computer—simple yet effective in keeping professional boundaries intact while working remotely.
21
Easton Jimenez 13 Apr 2025

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I told my family no loud music or vacuuming during my video calls, which felt weird but saved me from constant background noise disasters
21
Layla Evans 10 Oct 2025

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One unusual boundary I set was with myself around my workspace environment. Early on, I realized that working in the same spot where I relax or eat blurred mental cues and led to burnout. So I created a strict rule: no work allowed outside my designated desk area. That meant no laptop on the couch or in bed, even during breaks. It felt artificial at first but helped me mentally "clock out" and recharge better. The trade-off was less flexibility but more clear separation between work and personal time, which boosted my focus during work hours and improved overall well-being. Next step is tracking how often I stick to this to measure its impact on productivity and stress levels.
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Anonymous 8 Oct 2025

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I had to set a boundary with my pet. My dog used to jump on my lap during video calls, causing distractions and funny interruptions. I started training him to stay in his bed during work hours and gave him special toys only when I was busy. It felt odd at first, like managing a coworker, but it helped me stay focused and kept the meetings professional. Plus, he’s happier with his own space now!
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- Anonymous: Training pets during work hours is definitely a unique boundary! It’s interesting how managing distractions at home can feel like managing a team. Have you noticed if this training improved your overall productivity or meeting engagement?
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Accepted Answer · 2025-03-31T09:50:00+00:00

My boundary was with my roommate who thought ‘work from home’ meant I could chat all day. I had to put a literal sign on my door saying ‘DO NOT DISTURB UNLESS BLEEDING’ during work hours. It felt harsh, but after she barged in during a client call to ask about laundry, I snapped. She respects it now, and we’re still cool, but yeah, boundaries are wild.